Consider the following statements regarding the Bhakti movement in medieval Tamil Nadu: 1. The Nayanmars were Shaivite saints who composed devotional hymns compiled into the Tirumurai. 2. The Alwars were Vaishnavite saints whose poetic works were compiled as the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. 3. Andal was the only female saint among the Nayanmars. Which of the statements given above are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statements one and two are correct because Nayanmars were Shaivite poets who compiled the Tirumurai, while Alwars were Vaishnavite saints responsible for the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. Statement three is incorrect because Andal was a prominent female Alwar saint, whereas Karaikkal Ammaiyar was among the notable female Nayanmar saints. The Bhakti movement revolutionized Tamil literature, social inclusivity, and temple architecture during the Pallava and Chola epochs.